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| Road connectivity brings offbeat tourist destination into spotlight | | | 
Early Times Report
Bhaderwah, July 6: Bhal-Padri in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district is all set to host its first tourism festival this month after the high altitude scenic meadow was recently connected by road, bringing cheer to tourist stakeholders. Unexplored till now, the 11,000 feet high Bhal Padri is just 10 km from another tourist hot spot – Padri, the highest point along Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road in this sub-district popularly known as ‘mini-Kashmir’ for its scenic beauty.
The district administration Doda and Jammu and Kashmir Tourism department is all set to attract tourists by organising a festival on July 20 in Bhal-Padri to boost tourism footfall, officials said.
The meadow spread over 11 km was unexplored till now due to non-availability of connectivity. It is popular among locals and tribals besides botanists for its unique and diverse flora.
“The breathtaking valley of flowers is all set to shine as Jammu and Kashmir’s next big tourist hotspot,” Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Harvinder Singh said.
Singh, who visited Bhal-Padri after it was connected by road recently, urged tourists to explore the beauty and vibrant tribal culture of this hidden gem.
“With new road access, this scenic meadow is now just a drive away from Padri Top on Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road and will soon get alternate connectivity from Gandoh as well,” the deputy commissioner said.
Adventure tour operators are upbeat about bringing the untapped tourist destination on the tourism map of the Union Territory.
“This Himalayan marvel has got all natural ingredients to attract a diverse section of visitors, especially adventure enthusiasts and flower lovers. The landscape, the water bodies and especially the multi-coloured wild flowers spread across miles can have a mesmerising effect on anyone,” Mehran Ganai, an adventure tour operator, said.
He expressed confidence that Bhal-Padri is going to become a trump card of J-K’s tourism in general and that of Bhadarwah in particular as it has got the required potential.
Jammu Tourism department in collaboration with district administration and Education Environmental Social Sports and Cultural Society of Bhalessa will organise the mega tourism festival.
“We are thankful to the authorities for projecting the Bhal-Padri as a new tourism destination. It will surely pave the way for economic upliftment of the area,” chairman of the society, Ayub Zargar said.
He said the maiden festival would act as a catalyst to present the unique culture and breathtaking beauty of the area to the outer world and also foster brotherhood and communal harmony. |
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